Message text written by "BP - His DNA is this long."
>There is nothing wrong with using recycled plastic 2X4s, especially
considering the quality of most of the wooden ones currently on the market.
But do they belong in restorations? No. No reason, just a feeling about the
fitness of things.<

There's that elitist streak, again, Bruce. I find the "no reason, I'm just
aesthetically offended" argument troubling. It's not because I think
plastic 2 x 4's are a good idea for use in restoration, it's because it
suggests that it's okay to do things without critical thought, "by the seat
of your pants", by what "feels right" based on one individual's subjective
value system. That sort of thinking is a recipe for restoration disaster. 

If, as many here have suggested, restoration work is a means of expressing
individuality, my suggestion is:

1. How about developing the individual knowledge and expertise to
understand the complete range of technological options, and 
2. then applying them to each individual situation in the most appropriate
manner, based on the
3.  unique and individual combination of technical, risk and economic
factors which must be weighed in every restoration project situation?

Mike E.